Senate Dems weigh in on Murphy hiring story

In a joint statement that appears to be laying the groundwork for future action, the six top Democrats in the New Jersey State Senate offered comment on a POLITICO New Jersey story about allegations of sexual misconduct against a staff on Phil Murphy’s gubernatorial campaign who later joined his administration.

The statement does not mention the staffer, Al Alvarez, by name.

“We are disturbed by the news reports of alleged sexual misconduct leveled against a high-level state official. This type of behavior has too often been tolerated, ignored or dismissed. Public officials have a leadership responsibility to help bring about the change in attitudes and actions that is long overdue,” said Senate President Steve Sweeney, Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg, Senate President Pro-Tempore Teresa Ruiz, Senate Budget Committee Chairman Paul Sarlo, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Nicholas Scutari, and Senate Deputy Majority Leader Sandra Cunningham.